Radial, ulnar, total absolute finger ridge counts in the upper Egyptians

ABSTRACT

The radial and ulnar ridge counts were measured from the finger prints of 204 Upper Egyptian individuals [101 males and 103 females]. The individual and absolute individual finger ridge counts were calculated from the above measurements for each finger. They were also totaled for each h and and both h and s combined. The bi-manual and bi-sexual difference were estimated for each parameter. Both sexes showed markedly higher radial count than ulnar one in all fingers. The highest radial count appeared in finger 1 and the lowest in finger 2 in both h and s of both sexes. The lowest count appeared on finger 5 in both h and s in females and left h and only in males. Significant bi- sexual difference was observed in the radial and individual finger count in all fingers except finger 2 while ulnar count failed to show significant bi-sexual difference in any finger. The bi-manual difference showed different pictures in the radial and ulnar counts. The results of the absolute finger ridge counts were compared with those of the individual finger ridge counts. The highest level of correlation appeared between homologous counts on corresponding fingers on both h and s which was even higher than between the radial and ulnar count on the same finger. Next to this, came the correlation between the homologues counts on the adjacent fingers then that between the remote fingers. The least correlation appeared between the radial and ulnar counts on the non-adjacent fingers on opposite h and s. The results of the present study clarify the significance of investigating the radial and ulnar counts separately and provides a baseline for future population studies comparing these important parameters in Upper Egyptians with other populations